What does esto in Spanish mean?

What is the meaning of the word esto in Spanish? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use esto in Spanish.

The word esto in Spanish means this, well, er, so, how did it come to this? how could this happen?, what's more, while on the subject, in light of this, considering this, because of this, in light of this nobody will be opposed, this is how it's done here, even with that, even so, with this in mind, with this in mind, that said, having said this, meanwhile, all this about [+ present participle], all this about [+ present participle], all this about [+ subject + verb], that is, rather, this is the life, this isn't living, this isn't life, this is life, this is living, this and that, therefore, without thereby, and if that weren't enough. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word esto

this

pronombre (cualquier cosa física o imaginaria)

(pronoun: Replaces noun--for example, "He took the cookie and ate it." "I saw you yesterday.")
Esto es un desastre.
This is a disaster!

well, er, so

interjección (coloquial (muletilla: vacilación)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Esto... Tenemos que hablar de algo importante.
So... We have to talk about something important.

how did it come to this? how could this happen?

expresión (¿Qué sucedió?)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

what's more, while on the subject

locución preposicional (coloquial (aparte, además)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Y a todo esto, aún no he pagado mis impuestos.
What's more, I still have not paid my taxes.

in light of this, considering this, because of this

locución adverbial (vistas las circunstancias)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ante esto, hemos decidido no operar a su marido.
In light of this (or: considering this, because of this) we have decided not to operate on your husband.

in light of this nobody will be opposed

expresión (la situación no admite peros)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

this is how it's done here

expresión (aquí debes hacerlo así)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Parece extraño pero así es como se hace esto aquí y debes acostumbrarte.
It seems odd but that's how it's done here and you should get used to it.

even with that, even so

locución adverbial (indica contraste)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")
Aun con esto en mente, decidí aceptar la oferta.
Even with that in mind, I decided to accept the offer.

with this in mind

locución adverbial (con este fin)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pedro quería aprender ruso y, con esto en mente, decidió pasar unos meses en Moscú.

with this in mind

locución adverbial (teniendo esto en cuenta)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La escuela es la base del aprendizaje. Si estudias con esto en mente, triunfarás en la vida.

that said, having said this

expresión (y ahora)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Dicho esto, empezamos con la reunión.
That said, we started with the meeting.

meanwhile

locución adverbial (entonces, durante)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
En esto estaba esperando a que llegaras.
Meanwhile, I was waiting for you to arrive.

all this about [+ present participle]

expresión (asunto en cuestión)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Esto de atosigar a la pareja termina por enfriar el amor.

all this about [+ present participle]

expresión (algo que está pasando)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Esto de estar aguantando sus rollos a toda hora es pesadísimo.
All this about putting up with his crap all day long is a pain in the ass.

all this about [+ subject + verb]

expresión (algo que puede pasar)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Esto de que perdamos clientes por falta de inventario debe evitarse a toda costa.

that is, rather

expresión (es decir)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Tengo una casa, esto es, lo que tengo es una hipoteca.
I have a house, that is (or: rather), I have a mortgage.

this is the life

expresión (así se vive bien)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Estoy en la playa tomando agua de coco: esto es vida.

this isn't living, this isn't life

expresión (esto no hay quien lo aguante)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

this is life, this is living

expresión (esto es buena vida)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

this and that

expresión (fórmula de imprecisión) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Me propuso esto y lo otro pero al final no concretó nada del contrato.

therefore

locución adverbial (por lo dicho)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Por todo esto creo que debemos dejar de vernos.
Therefore, I think we should stop seeing each other.

without thereby

locución preposicional (sin que esto signifique que)

(conjunction: Connects words, clauses, and sentences--for example, "and," "but," "because," "in order that.")

and if that weren't enough

expresión (y por si no fuera suficiente)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
A Carlos lo insultaron y lo golpearon, y por si esto fuera poco, también le robaron todo el dinero que llevaba.

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So now that you know more about the meaning of esto in Spanish, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in Spanish.

Related words of esto

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Spanish (español), also known as Castilla, is a language of the Iberian-Romance group of the Romance languages, and the 4th most common language in the world according to Some sources, while others list it as a 2nd or 3rd most common language. It is the mother tongue of about 352 million people, and is spoken by 417 million people when adding its speakers as a language. sub (estimated in 1999). Spanish and Portuguese have very similar grammar and vocabulary; The number of similar vocabulary of these two languages is up to 89%. Spanish is the primary language of 20 countries around the world. It is estimated that the total number of speakers of Spanish is between 470 and 500 million, making it the second most widely spoken language in the world by number of native speakers.